Dean Smith dead at 83

[78]

In 36 years at North Carolina, his teams went 879-254 and claimed two national titles. His former players included Michael Jordan, James Worthy, Sam Perkins and Billy Cunningham. In the ultimate backhand compliment about his focus on teamwork, it was said that Smith was the only coach who ever held Jordan to under 20 points a game. He suffered dementia in his later years. Smith put North Carolina on the map.

http://espn.go.com/mens-college-bas...er-north-carolina-tar-heels-coach-dies-age-83

 

[MidwestChomp]

Great coach. He coached some amazing trams and players, and it's sad he couldn't remember those memories.

 

[KCgator]

Great man. RIP Mr. Smith.

 

[dubster1]

great person, great coach, great man! r.i.p

 

[GatorJ]

Sad day. One of the best ever.

 

[Gatorbreath]

Sad news. He seemed like a high character leader of young men.

Do any of you remember his 4 corners offense? The man almost single-handedly forced the NCAA to change its rules and embrace the shot clock. You know you're an innovator - or a "perfector" of something when a rule change is needed to stop you or even the playing field.

 

[Leroy Jenkins]

I never got to watch a game coached by him, but from what everyone is saying, he was an even better person (truly) than he was a coach..and he's one of the Top 5 best College Basketball coaches ever, so that's really saying something. RIP, Coach Smith!

 

[Leroy Jenkins]

Dean Smith was suffering in his later years from Dementia.

Great read if you've got the time, and worth a second and third read, as well:

http://espn.go.com/espn/feature/story/_/id/10545949/precious-memories-dean-smith-story

 

[MJMGator]

RIP

 

[QueenCityGator]

As a Gator living in North Carolina, the popularity of Dean Smith ranks just below BBQ, NASCAR, and the Outer Banks. Our great coach is following in his steps by molding young minds both on the court and in the classroom.

 

[Okeechobee Joe]

Four Corners Offense. Dean Smith perfected the Four Corners and sometimes North Carolina would hold the ball and play stall tactics because back then you did not have to shoot the ball, you could just pass it back and forth for the whole game if you wanted to. You would get some very low scoring games in the ACC like 7-0 at half-time. This led to the shot clock in college that we have in basketball today.

 

[Captain Sasquatch]

Definitely a sad day.

 

[gardnerwebbgator]

Class act indeed. Got to attend the Hornets/Pacers game tonight In Charlotte and they had a beautiful pregame tribute to him. Simple things like having the player who made a basket point to the teammate who gave him the ball and got the assist....revolutionized the game.

 

[WobbleGator]

RIP Dean.

 

[TheDouglas78]

Great Coach and Man...

 

[itsgr82bag8r]

RIP

 

[TallyGator]

By all accounts a class act, a good man, and a positive influence on all of those around him. A rare commodity these days. Condolences to the Smith family...RIP Dean Smith...the second most famous son of Emporia, Kansas, right behind one William Allen White.